A box splint is a three padded sides and a foot piece designed to be applied to a deformed limb. Box splints are relatively simple to utilise and provide excellent support for a fractured limb.

The box splint basically works by sliding the middle padded sheet under the leg or limb and then the remaining outer padded sheets should be folded in order to produce a box around the patient’s leg or limb. If applying the box splint to the leg, the foot pad should be applied at a 90 degree angle. The Velcro straps should then be tightened to produce the appropriate amount of support and firmness without reducing circulation distally.

Box splints consist of three padded sheets, a padded foot piece and Velcro straps. This makes the box splint one of the cheapest and most reliable splinting devices available to any Ambulance Service.

Cost of a Box Splint

Box splints are considered relatively cheap compared to the rest of the splinting devices used in Ambulances. Box splints come as cardboard (very cheap) for as little as $8 each and plastic and foam for about $35 each. Either way, you wont find a cheaper way to splint a lower limb fracture.

Box splints are a basic, but used by a competent paramedic or clinician, can provide very good splinting and support for a fractured limb. Box splints do not provide as complete support as a vacuum splint, which are relatively expensive.